Geography without Borders – Congress in Lublin 2025
The Congress was accompanied by numerous events that highlighted its importance and distinguished it from other scientific initiatives. On September 10, during the Young Geography Forum, early-career researchers exchanged scientific experiences and presented innovative studies in geography and related sciences. The 65th Congress of the Polish Geographical Society also took place—an organization that upholds the finest traditions of Polish geography on both the national and international stage. A unique event at the intersection of science and culture was the GeoArt Lublin Festival. As part of the Festival, the organizers invited participants to audiovisual shows, the symphonic concert “Symphony of the Earth”, exhibitions, dance performances, screenings of nature films, and urban geomapping, inspiring a new perspective on the Earth and its diversity. This artistic narrative about our planet was a perfect complement to the scientific part of the Congress and provided participants with many unforgettable experiences.
The Congress was also enriched by the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Lublin center of geography. During the jubilee session, awards and distinctions were presented to individuals whose work and dedication made a significant contribution to the development of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. The unit was also honored with the Commemorative Medal of the Lublin Voivodeship. Another exceptional moment of the Congress, providing an opportunity to honor outstanding achievements and strengthen the integration of the geographical community, was the Polish Geography Gala.
The event statistics are impressive. Nearly 100 paper and poster sessions were held, along with the 47th National Cartographic Conference, the 8th National Scientific Conference on Light Pollution, and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Program Forum. In total, around 550 papers and posters were presented. Researchers also had the opportunity to participate in eight field sessions showcasing the assets of Lublin and the Lublin region, as well as numerous scientific workshops.
The Congress brought together representatives of all Polish geographical centers as well as many researchers from abroad, including members of the leadership of the International Geographical Union. Plenary sessions featured distinguished scholars such as Prof. Dallen J. Timothy (Arizona State University), Prof. Nathalie Lemarchand (University of Paris 8, President of the International Geographical Union), Prof. Norman Davies (University College London, Professor Emeritus), Prof. Jean Poesen (UMCS and KU Leuven), Prof. Piotr Migoń (University of Wrocław), Prof. Marek Degórski (Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences), as well as representatives of Elsevier Poland, who presented an analysis of the international publication activity of Polish geographers.
The thematic scope of the event was broad, covering, among others, research on socio-ecological systems, energy transition, urban resilience, borders and migrations, as well as geopolitical, historical, military, tourism, and regional issues. Physical geography also played a key role, including research on climate change, geomorphological processes, hydrology, soils, landscapes, and ecosystems. Modern research methods were strongly represented: GIS, geoinformation, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, as well as issues of geographical education and the social role of geography. The topics addressed at the Congress were highly relevant in the context of rapidly changing geopolitical and climatic conditions, as well as the growing impact of human activity on our planet.
